Police receive special traffic grant

The Ridgecrest Police Depart-ment has been awarded a $99,670 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety for a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement and public awareness efforts.

The grant will aid in the city’s effort to improve traffic safety and quality of life. RPD will use the funding as part of an ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.

While traffic deaths from all causes declined by nearly 39 percent between 2006 and 2010 in California, deaths rose by 2.6 percent in 2011. State and federal officials anticipate that figures will show another rise for 2012. DUI deaths remain the largest sector, at nearly 30 percent of traffic fatalities. Recent trends show increases in two new categories—distracted driving and drug-impaired driving.